Textual content by Tom Appel
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX-Status 4WD
Specs
Class: Compact Crossover
Coloration: Shadow Matte Grey
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 173
Actual-world gasoline economic system: 37.3 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Financial system | A |
| Worth | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A- |
| Tall Man | B |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 217-horsepower, 1.6-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged hybrid |
| Transmission | 6-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 55% metropolis, 45% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 38/38/38 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas sort: Common gasoline
Base worth: $37,490 (not together with $1375 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Particular paint ($595), cargo mat ($95), flooring mats ($175)
Worth as examined: $39,730
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Easy and robust hybrid drivetrain, elegant cabin
The nice: Loads of grownup house, anticipated hybrid gasoline economic system
The not so good: Rear seatbacks don’t fold utterly flat
Overview
With electric-vehicle gross sales rising at a slower-than-industry-expected tempo, carmakers are scrambling to realign their product portfolios with an assortment of powertrain choices, together with internal-combustion engines (ICE) hybrids (HEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and full-electric automobiles and vehicles (BEV). And, for the actually masochistic model, fuel-cell (hydrogen) autos, too.
And whereas Kia doesn’t at the moment retail a fuel-cell automobile, company sister model Hyundai does, within the type of the NEXO small crossover. And, in case you have been questioning, Hyundai managed to promote 77 NEXOs within the first half of 2024, all of them in California, and all of them close to Los Angeles, the place the one public hydrogen gasoline stations within the nation are situated.
However Kia’s lack of involvement within the doubtful fuel-cell section doesn’t imply the model isn’t effectively positioned to benefit from the public’s present enthusiasm for hybrid autos—which has reached new ranges. Actually, Kia could also be among the many carmakers finest capable of meet rising client demand for different powertrain choices.
For 2025, along with its standard ICE choices, Kia additionally provides the next:
Kia Hybrid Fashions
- Niro (small crossover)
- Sportage (compact crossover)
- Sorento (midsize crossover)
- Carnival (minivan)
Kia Plug-in Hybrid Fashions
Kia Electrical Automobiles
Be aware that although the Niro is obtainable with three drivetrain choices, not all are supplied in each state. Try the Kia web site for particulars.
After all, promoting a hybrid is one matter, and promoting a great hybrid is one other. We’re glad to report that the Kia Sportage Hybrid, which we’re reviewing right here, is very spectacular, by way of each basic operation, and total effectivity. We’ll get to each in a second.
Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2025, Kia provides the favored Sportage in seven standard trim ranges, three hybrid variations, and two plug-in hybrid trims. Beginning with the bottom providing, the Sportage Hybrid is available in LX ($29,965), EX ($33,765), and SX Status ($38,965) trim ranges.
Engines
Whereas the traditional Kia Sportage is fitted with a 2.5-liter usually aspirated (not turbocharged) engine, the Sportage Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged mill fitted with a pair of electrical batteries and mated to a 6-speed automated system. Whole system output is a claimed 227 horsepower, a big bump over the usual Sportage’s 187 horses. The Sportage hybrid is obtainable with front- or all-wheel drive.
Be aware that no vital adjustments are anticipated for the 2025 mannequin, although a big replace could arrive for 2026.
Take a look at Drive
Shopper Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of an AWD 2024 Sportage Hybrid SX-Status in Shadow Matte Grey. Together with vacation spot cost, our take a look at crossover got here to $39,730.
Cabin and Connectivity
Like so many small crossovers as we speak, the Sportage, particularly in high-zoot SX-Status trim, feels extra like a luxurious automotive than a mainstream, popularly priced automobile. The 2-tone cabin upholstery is each elegant and sporty, and the single-piece instrument panel/touchscreen appears to be like trendy and clear. We discovered the first infotainment controls to work effectively, and the touchscreen icons straightforward to establish at a look.
One odd management aspect that we didn’t love was the dual-use touch-panel controls under the touchscreen. The controls alternate between local weather and audio and capabilities, and provide no haptic suggestions when touched. In follow the controls work fairly effectively, however aren’t a welcome substitute for rear, tactile, switchgear.
Room and Consolation
As for house, the Sportage boasts loads. There’s a beneficiant quantity of big-guy house within the entrance row, and solely barely much less within the second seating row. Moreover, the seats are agency and long-trip supportive.
Energy and Efficiency
Beneath means, the Sportage Hyrid acquits itself effectively, with loads of energy, and clean hybrid operation. Not like Kias of the previous, which suffered from balky hybrid engine/motor interplay, the Sportage boasts refined energy supply and quiet operation. Higher nonetheless, we noticed 37+ mpg in routine drive. Glorious mileage given the ability.
Journey and Dealing with
Journey and dealing with are additionally class main. The Sportage Hybrid feels typically athletic, and journey high quality is impressively refined, in a type of German-luxury type of means.
Cargo House
There loads of room within the cargo space, although the second-row seatbacks don’t fold utterly flat, leaving a small “curb” or types for bigger parcels to be pushed/wrestled over.
Worth
At lower than $40,000, the Sportage Hybrid is much less of an alternative-fuel choice for Kia customers, and extra of a premium choice. The Hybrid provides not solely higher gasoline economic system than the traditional Sportage, however higher efficiency, as effectively. Plus, hybrids fashions of any make have demonstrated better worth at trade-in time than have their conventionally powered counterparts.
On this section, it is sensible to additionally take a look at drive the excellent Honda CR-V Hybrid, and the hybrid Toyota RAV4. All provide spectacular gasoline economic system in sensible and refined packages. And, if design and styling matter a lot to you, you’ll wish to take an additional shut have a look at the Sportage.
Take heed to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX-Status Footage
Click on under for enlarged photographs
